Botrytis

A fluffy, gray mold (or whitish spots on tomatoes) that enters plants through wounds or flowers. Remove dead and infected plant material to reduce risk of infection. Find out more about common plant diseases here. And follow these tips to prevent plant diseases.

Types of Garden Diseases and Disorders

Just like people, strong, healthy plants are susceptible to disease and infection. Here's how to get to the root of common garden problems. The coral spot pictured here is commonly seen on dead twigs of trees and shrubs. In damp weather, small pink or red eruptions appear on infected bark. Cut out diseased areas promptly.

Potato and Tomato Blight

Brown patches on leaves, fruits, and tubers, caused by a fungus that thrives in warm, wet weather. Grow resistant varieties or spray with copper-based fungicide.

Sclerotinia

Fungus that causes brown, slimy rot with fluffy, white growth, predominantly on stems and fruits of various vegetables. Remove and burn or discard affected plants.

Magnesium Deficiency

Older leaves of various vegetables show yellowing between veins, especially in acidic soil or after heavy rains. Apply Epsom salts to the soil or as a foliar spray.

Learn how adding fertilizer can be beneficial, especially for fruits, veggies and container plants. Fertilizers can also help kick-start growth after planting and reinvigorate plants that have been pruned hard.